Reds make tough call to option Ondrusek

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- It turned out that Reds reliever Logan Ondrusek was collateral damage, of sorts, in the two-game suspension of catcher Devin Mesoraco. Because the Reds couldn't afford to play short with one catcher, they optioned Ondrusek to Triple-A Louisville and brought up catcher Dioner Navarro on Tuesday.

"There are always tough decisions in life, and all of them don't go your way," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "We only had a couple of guys with options that could be sent down. Anybody else would have to go through waivers and we could end up losing them. [Ondrusek] pitched two innings [Monday] night, so he really couldn't help us for a couple of days."

Ondrusek, who is 3-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 53 games this season, allowed two runs and three hits over two innings in Monday's 12-5 loss to the Phillies. In August, he's given up five earned runs over 6 2/3 innings (6.75 ERA).

"He's struggled a little bit lately himself," Baker said. "This is a time for him to get his game together and come back to help us even more. It wasn't an easy decision and it wasn't easy telling him."

Rules say that Ondrusek must stay in the Minors for at least 10 days, barring an injury. That means he loses 10 days of Major League pay as a result. Cincinnati will likely call up another reliever to take the roster spot when Mesoraco is allowed to return to the roster. That could mean a callup for J.J. Hoover (4-0, 1.25 ERA at Louisville).

After bout of stiffness, Masset resumes rehab

PHILADELPHIA -- Reds reliever Nick Masset, who has not pitched in the Majors all season because of a right shoulder injury, was set to resume his rehab assignment on Tuesday for Triple-A Louisville. Masset, who has seven games under his belt, last pitched on Saturday.

"He had a little bit of stiffness after he threw," Reds pitching coach Bryan Price said. "And because of where we are, we're treating this as his own personal Spring Training. He could have pitched yesterday, and we decided to push him back. It's nothing significant. If this was Spring Training, we would have done the same thing. We're trying to get his arm ready and healthy."

The final test Masset must pass is to work in back-to-back games. That could happen by the end of the week, but that is in pencil rather than pen.

"As always, it's day to day with these guys," Price said.

Even if Masset does not return before the Aug. 31 deadline to set postseason rosters, it would not prevent him from pitching in the playoffs.

"Him being on the 60-day disabled list, no matter when he comes back he would still be eligible for the playoffs," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Worth noting

 On Wednesday, both the Reds and Phillies will wear 1991 throwback uniforms.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.